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Amy Becherer 5 years agofrom St. Louis, MO

I'm not feeling so strong right now, Pop. I just came home from the vet and you are the first person I've told that my beloved MacGregor has bladder cancer. I feel like I've been knocked to my knees, my friend.

breakfastpop 5 years ago

I love your strength. I hope it's catching, because there are so many women out there who need it. Up and awesome.

Author

Amy Becherer 5 years agofrom St. Louis, MO

I'm glad I made you laugh, always exploring. This one was inspired by anger at the audacity of an ignoramus, well, by more than a few, but was cathartic fun in the making. Cheers

Ruby Jean Fuller 5 years agofrom Southern Illinois

HaHa Amy, This one made me smile. There are some Dudes out there who think they are God's gift to women, And many times I have wanted to say, ( Who the H do you think you're talking to. ) Thank you for saying it in a fun to read poem. Cheers

Author

Amy Becherer 5 years agofrom St. Louis, MO

I agree, drbj. I always remain civil. I'm less friendly with strangers now though, as instead of worrying about hurting their feelings, I am acutely aware they aren't concerned about mine. They often have an unsavory agenda that has nothing to do with me, other than satisfying their quirks. The experiences I've had are actually overtly overly-friendly, but crude, with an intrusiveness that is foreign to me. I am quick to leave and go about my business, but I resent aggressive, intrusive strangers that feel they are entitled to my time, much less anything else. It is an assault on my senses. See, drbj, I'm a nutcase getting peeved just thinking about it! LOL Oh, and I do trust you, my friend. You are brilliant and kind.

drbj and sherry 5 years agofrom south Florida

Dear Amy - the bus attendant in that viral video was brave enough to try to maintain her dignity and composure in the face of the rude and discourteous behavior she was subjected to. She deserves whatever rewards are sent her way.

The behavior of the children was unfortunately symptomatic of the world we live in today. So many people, not only children, as you point out in your clever poetry are rude, crude and unfriendly. Don't let fools stress you out - they are their own worst enemies. Trust me.

Author

Amy Becherer 5 years agofrom St. Louis, MO

Good one, Phillydreamer. I'll remember that. And, thanks for a good laugh!

Jose Velasquez 5 years agofrom Lodi, New Jersey

Well in that case eggs work good too. LOL

Author

Amy Becherer 5 years agofrom St. Louis, MO

I wasn't even in a bar. It was the damn grocery store...again! However, it feels good to even contemplate the drink-throwing fantasy!

Jose Velasquez 5 years agofrom Lodi, New Jersey

You tell em! Next time throw your drink in their face too.

Author

Amy Becherer 5 years agofrom St. Louis, MO

Dearest Kathy, I did see the video regarding the bus attendent and I cried. She remained so stoic, like a rock (although she was crying, I found out later), in trying to apply the "just ignore them" philosophy once touted as the way to take the wind out of a bully's sails. It doesn't work, as nothing does. We have seen enough young suicides to attest to that fact. I was appalled, not only by the obvious, but when one talking head expressed dismay that the woman didn't stand up for herself! She was one person in the midst of a pack mentality of teenagers. She did the right thing. Any overt actions on her part, an adult hired to monitor the bus behavior, would have resulted in negative consequences for her, as she responded to the critiquing of her behavior. She feared losing her job. I am certain she feared saying one word that might result in an onslaught from angry parents. It enrages me when an innocent, be it a person or animal, is villified, and it happens a lot. I hope the funds end up in her pocket, as is the intent of her generous supporters and she never spends another day on a school bus filled with the selfish bullies that occupy so many school desks today. My question to the spoiled brats that abused this woman is why did they video their abhorrent behavior? Maybe showing off behavior they were proud of? I am assuming they used their cell phones? Or did the bus have a recorder? I'm curious, because the video went viral, as someone released it. Who and why interests me.

This is another example of a school that looks the other way. I'm sure you saw the news regarding Jerry Sandusky's guilty verdict, with statements to the effect he will die in prison. The one boy he abused said in an interview that Sandusky used his status to tell the boy if he told anyone, no one would believe him and he (Sandusky) would never be caught. I wonder how a man without the ability to even put two sentences together ever held an important position at Penn State. I am guessing he was part of "the good ole boys" club. My feeling is that those that protected Sandusky should be held accountable for their allowance of heinous criminal activity. I don't trust the Mrs. either. I hope more heads roll.

Thank you, Kathy. You have a heart as big as Texas and I am one "lucky cat" to call you friend. I love you.

Kathy 5 years agofrom The beautiful Napa Valley, California

Amy, your poetry is the BEST and carries a unique style...and I heard this one loud and clear...and wanted to reply in a similar (though nowhere near as creative...and I mean this...no replies to this sentence will be accepted!! )....anyway...in a similar fashion to let you know that I did understand it..I applied my take more to relationships but, as you have pointed out about society in today's world....your words are appropriately applied to the lack of civility and absolute hatred which is becoming more prevalent. Very sad...On a personal as well as objective level..our world is changing expoentially and there seems to be no healing. Anger, anonymous killings, 'drive bys' and meyham m seems to be the norm while decency and respect are all but forgotten and, certainly, laughed at.

Have you seen the reports about the horrible way in which the 68 year old bus steward was treated by the teenaged boys? They yelled at her, called her fat, said her family hated her and killed themselves because of her (in fact, her son did commit suicide and, I assume; this was common knowledge), called her ugly and taunted her to tears. This broke on the news several days ago and (now...here IS hope), there have been dontations up towards and, perhaps by now, beyond $600,000. ! Those who were touched and felt so terribly sorry for the woman and who had no other way to express it have sent her $...I say YES!!!

The boys, finally as of today's news, are being "chastized" by their parents and the school board which, previously, had not planned on doing a thing. ALSO, there have been so many death threats towards the boys that one parent said he would not let his son out the door..well, "just desserts." Now, I would never and do not truly condone this but, hey...sometimes, a little scaring can go a long way..however; (full circle) that there ARE death threats rather underscores this entire hub and comments....oh boy!!!!!!

UP Useful Awesome Interesting, my friend Amy!

Author

Amy Becherer 5 years agofrom St. Louis, MO

I wrote one message and it refused to post, Bill. I'll try again. Thank you for your beautiful reaffirming message. My BFF, who I talk with everyday, often says "she needs her Amy Fix", a very endearing phrase to me personally.

I do tend to approach life in a matter-of-fact way. I find that emotions serve to cloud, complicate and confuse the resolution of issues. Writing has become my release. And, it never ceases to amaze me that here at hubpages, where I am unguarded, honest and forthright, are most of my most treasured friends. I am, not only accepted, but I feel the love. And in this whole big world, Bill, you are a constant source of positive impact in my life. Thank you, my dear friend.

Bill Holland 5 years agofrom Olympia, WA

I can go about my day now because I have had my "Amy Fix." Do you want to know why I like you and respect you? It's because you are a no-nonsense human being. There is no pretense in you, no fluff, no frills, it's just Amy being Amy and hooray for that! I celebrate who you are, my friend, and I respect you for being that person you were meant to be.

Yes, there is ugliness in the world, but I believe in the good around me and I focus on that. I can't change the world but I can make my world a better place to live in.

Thank you for being the person you are; you make my world a better place to live in.

bill

Author

Amy Becherer 5 years agofrom St. Louis, MO

Gypsy, I couldn't have said it better myself. "To thine own self be true" is precisely right on. Thank you for your backing and friendship, sweet lady.

Author

Amy Becherer 5 years agofrom St. Louis, MO

Kathy, my sista, you and your poetry are a beautiful sight to behold. I couldn't help but think of Annie Lennox, as she confidently struts through "Would I lie to you?" like a force to be reckoned with. Up until recently I was so afraid of hurting someone's feelings, I pushed my own into the closet. I'd turn the other cheek, swallow the words I wanted to say, in deference to everyone else. But, I realized I wasn't doing anyone any favors, least of all, myself. I'm still civil, caught off guard when the sheer audacity of strangers stuns me into fear. The climate today, conceal and carry laws, and no holds barred holds me in check for fear for my own safety. Yesterday, in St. Louis, a beautiful, 17 year old girl, who'd just spoken at her high school graduation, with upcoming plans for college to become a RN, was shot to death by 4 men in a driveby, while she sat on her front porch with her family. These kind of random acts of violence happen everyday here. With so much rage, it's worse than the jungle since the animals on the streets carry guns. The best anyone can do, is keep calm and carry on by not inciting anger and walking away with confidence. Instead of saying what I really want to a stranger, I write it here in the safety of my home surrounded by my friends, like you, Kathy.

I love your comment and your "tell it like it is" poetry. Fiery Genius!

Gypsy Rose Lee 5 years agofrom Riga, Latvia

Voted up and awesome. If we don't stand up for ourselves we can't expect anything better. To ourselves we must be true.

Kathy 5 years agofrom The beautiful Napa Valley, California

Amy! Well, I guess you told him! Fantastic! To the point, there is no doubt about this one. Better to leave it behind in the dust.